GRIMORICON: Pathway to Terah

by B. D. Suever

  “I always considered a burp to be a compliment to the chef. The bigger the burp, the nicer the compliment,” Ethan said, laughing at his own joke. He saw Nera was not amused. “Fine, fine, excuse me,” he said.

  Ethan fell backwards, stuffed from the fish he had eaten. He stared up at the sky. I guess the sky is the same no matter what world you're on, he thought. He sat up and looked over at Nera. “Can I ask you something?”

  “What is it?” she responded.

  “That swamp I fell in. What was it?”

  Nera sat up and saw Ethan had a disturbed look on his face. “That place is known as the Living Swamp. It is said that the swamp itself is the body of an evil creature that escaped through a rift in the Enderverse.” Nera poked the fire as she explained this to Ethan. “Most who venture into the swamp are never seen or heard from again. Few have lived to tell their story and only a few travelers have seen where the creature's core is.”

  Ethan stared down at the ground as she explained it. All he could think of were his final visions before he woke up. The villages on fire, the destruction of the world. What did it all mean?

  “What did you see, Ethan?” Nera asked.

  “Huh? What?”

  Nera walked over to Ethan and sat next to him. “What did the swamp show you?”

  “How do you know it showed me something?” he asked.

  “Those who have made it out alive tell stories of the swamp showing them pieces of their lives. Good, bad, scary, sad. They say it feeds on those memories,” she said.

  Ethan looked back down at the ground. “I saw myself as a mean person. I saw all the nasty things I did to my parents and other kids.” Tears rolled down his cheek. “Then I saw that goblin's face, I saw fire, and I saw destruction. Is that what's in my heart?” he asked, looking up at Nera.

  Nera put her arm around Ethan to comfort him. “That's not what's in your heart, Ethan. The swamp shows people horrors to scare them and feeds off their fear,” she said, trying to calm him down. “The bad things you've done, well, you are a child. You have time to change your ways and show the world what a good person you can be.”

  Ethan wiped the tears from his eyes. “You really think so?”

  “I do, Ethan. You remind me of my brother when he was your age. He was ill mannered, showed no respect to others and felt like everything was about him. Over time, he became a well-mannered and respected young man in our village. He showed kindness to those who didn't even deserve it.” She smiled as she talked about her brother. “How we act is a choice, Ethan. You can remain the way you are, or you can better yourself.”

  Ethan smiled at Nera. “I want to be a better person,” he proclaimed.

  She laughed. “Well, I think we should start with that mouth of yours!”

  Ethan laughed along with Nera. “Thanks for making me feel better, and thanks again for saving me from the swamp. I know you risked your life for me.”

  Nera gazed at him. “Right there is a good start, Ethan. Showing kindness to those that do the same to you.”

  Nera stood up and kicked dirt on the fire to put it out. “Ready to continue your training?” she said.

  Ethan stood up and gave a nod. He picked up his bow and a quiver full of arrows and followed Nera. She led Ethan to a tree and placed a piece of cloth on the trunk. “I want you to aim for the middle and hit this mark.” She pointed to a black mark on the cloth. “Remember to focus, aim and breathe.”

  “Ok. I'm ready to do this,” Ethan said with confidence.

  Nera walked back towards Naveni as Ethan practiced. She looked down at the slumbering bear lying on her back. “Lazy girl,” she said with a smile. She sat against Naveni and watched Ethan as he pulled back on the bow and let an arrow loose. It hit the tree trunk. “Good, Ethan! You are getting closer to the target. Keep it up.”

  Naveni sat up, causing Nera to fall backwards. “Hey? What was that about?” she asked, looking at Naveni. The bear was staring off in the distance. “What is it?” Nera asked.

  Naveni stood up and kept staring into the distance.

  “What do you hear?” Nera asked. Just then, Nera's hunter ears picked up the sound of rustling, as if someone was running. “Stay here and watch over Ethan,” she told Naveni.

  Naveni walked closer to Ethan and sat down, keeping a watchful eye on him.

  Nera ventured back into the forest. She moved quietly towards the rustling. She could tell it was getting closer and heading her way. Nera hid behind a large tree, waiting for whatever it was to get close enough for her to react.

  The goblin came stumbling around the large tree and bumped into Nera. She grabbed the goblin and held a dagger to its throat. “Why are you following us?” she demanded.

  “Stupid hunter! Let me go!” the goblin yelled.

  Nera glared at it. “Answer me! Why are you following us? Who sent you?”

  The goblin tried to wriggle free from Nera's grip. “I don't even know who you are, hunter scum!”

  Nera didn't believe the goblin. “Fine. I have ways of making you talk.”

  Nera pulled a rope from her pack. She tied one end around the goblin's hands and the other end she threw up in the tree, wrapping it around a branch and catching the other end. She pulled on one end of the rope, lifting the goblin up by the arms until its face was level with hers. She then tied the rope to a large rock near the tree to anchor the goblin.

  “Hunter scum! Let me go! I told you I don't know you!” the goblin yelled.

  Nera stared back at it. “Then why are you out here?”

  The goblin refused to answer.

  “You tell me you aren't following us, yet you won't tell why you are out here? That tells me you were following us.” Nera held the dagger to the goblin's throat. “I'll ask again, who sent you?”

  The goblin looked into Nera's eyes and could tell she would cut his throat if he didn't answer. “Fine! I wasn't sent after you. I was sent to the village of Gwantar by the Necrom.”

  Nera frowned. “Gwantar? Why?”

  The goblin spat in Nera's face. “That's none of your concern. I told you why I was out here, now let me go!”

  Nera wiped the spit from her face and smacked the goblin across the cheek. She took her dagger and chopped off a chunk of the goblin's hair. “You told me where you were, not why you are out here,” she said. “Now talk, or the pain you feel will last a lifetime.” She moved the dagger to the goblin's ear.

  It flinched away, making its body swing on the rope. “Wait, wait, wait. I'll talk. We was sent to capture some old man. After we found him, our group was attacked by some damned Erenmar witch. I escaped while she took out my entire group.” The goblin scowled. “Damn blue-haired witch had the eyes of a devil.”

  “What happened to the old man?” she asked.

  The goblin tried moving his arms a little. They burned with pain and grew weaker. “Let me down and I'll answer all yer questions.”

  Nera crossed her arms. “Answer my questions and I'll let you down.”

  The goblin let out a sigh. “Fine. The Necrom took the old man back to the Underdwell.”

  Did they target the elder? Nera asked herself. She backed away from the goblin for a moment. If they went after the elder then they must be going after the secret to the Amulet of Light, she thought.

  “YEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWW!!!!”

  The goblin screamed in pain. Nera turned and saw that the goblin had spun around and was facing the tree. She looked further down and saw an arrow sticking out of his thigh.

  “Sorry!” Ethan yelled. “I saw a really cool bird. It was bigger than a house!”

  Nera was trying to remain serious and was having a hard time holding back her laughter. She spun the goblin back around to face her. “Why were they after the old man? What are they looking for?”

  “I don't know. I'm just hired muscle,” the goblin sobbed. “Can you please cut me down? This arrow in my leg hurts.”

  Nera untied the rope around the rock, letting the g
oblin fall. As he fell, the arrow broke off, leaving a small piece in his thigh. “Owwww! You could be gentler,” he accused. The goblin reached down, his hands still tied together, and pulled the remaining piece of arrow from his thigh. He flinched in pain as he yanked it out, trying not to scream. Suddenly, he was pulled back against the tree. Nera had wrapped the rope around the tree and tied a knot in the front.

  “I let you down, but I didn't say I would let you go,” Nera said. “Can't risk you running off to tell your friends about us.”

  “You SCUM!” the goblin yelled.

  Nera gathered her supplies and ran back towards Ethan and Naveni. As she approached, Ethan ran up to her. “I saw a huge bird flying in the sky! It was gigantic. And it was bright red and orange with black streaks on the bottom.”

  “We can talk about the bird later,” Nera said. “We have to leave quickly.”

  “Why?” Ethan asked. “What happened? Where did you go earlier?”

  Nera was rushing to gather everything and pack it away on Naveni's back. “I'll explain everything on the way but we need to go now.”

  Ethan grabbed his bow and arrows. He then ran over to help Nera pack everything away. They both hopped on to Naveni's back and raced off towards the village of Gwantar.

  The corpses of goblins lined the town square as Nera and Ethan walked through. The ice spikes thrust into their chests remained and seemed to be crystallized.

  “What happened here?” Ethan asked.

  Nera looked around the empty village. “I'm not sure. All I know is the elder was taken from here.”

  Ethan tripped over something round on the ground and fell. He turned to look at it and saw the severed head of a goblin staring back at him. “AHHHHHHHHH!” he yelled.

  Nera rushed to him. “What is it?”

  Ethan couldn't get the words out; all he could do was point.

  Nera kicked the head away. She knew Ethan had a terrible fear of the goblins ever since that one lunged at him in the forest. She extended her hand out to him. “It's gone now. Take my hand and let's keep moving.”

  Ethan reached up and grabbed her hand. She pulled him to his feet and dusted him off. They both continued walking through the village until Naveni picked up the scent of familiar tracks. She led Nera and Ethan to the cellar where the elder had hidden. “Wait here,” Nera told Ethan and Naveni. She descended into the cellar, her hunter sense helping her track the elder and his movements. She saw the dirt scuffles on the floor from where his feet and robes had dragged in the dirt. The tracks led to the back of the cellar, where she came upon a single barrel up against the back wall. She examined the barrel, opening the top and peering inside, seeing nothing but grains. Nera moved the barrel aside and found a piece of parchment underneath. As she opened it up, she saw a message written in a language completely alien to her. As she studied it, she felt another piece of paper underneath her foot. A note from the elder? How did he know I would be here? she thought.

  “Is everything ok?” Ethan yelled down.

  “It's fine,” she yelled back up as she read over the note.

  Nera,

  I know you will find this letter. Joraya sent a carrier bird informing me you were headed this way with the Avent. I have little time, so I will get to the point. The Necrom are searching for the amulet as well and they intend to take me to gather information on its whereabouts. You must take the parchment I have left for you and head to Dragenmar as quickly as possible to meet with Elder Mora. He has the final piece to help you and the Avent find the means to secure the Amulet of Light. Do not come after me. I have already seen that my time has come, and I have played my part. Your role is to protect the Avent. Do not veer from this path. Let the light lead your way.

  Orius

  A tear rolled down Nera’s cheek. She knew she would never see Elder Orius again. Nera wanted to track the Necrom and save him, but she knew she had a path to follow as he had said, and there was a greater purpose here. She folded the note and placed it in her pouch along with the piece of parchment. Nera emerged from the cellar where Ethan and Naveni were waiting for her. “We need to get to the capital as fast as possible. From here, if we go without making too many stops, we should make it there in two days.”

  Ethan and Naveni both nodded in understanding. Ethan and Nera hopped on to Naveni's back. “Go, Naveni,” Nera said.

  The bear gave a loud growl and ran as fast as she could, taking them in the direction of the capital. As they headed out of town, a pair of purple eyes kept watch on them. An undead emerged from the bushes. It was the drunk Graff had brought back. He gave a low chuckle and ran off in the direction Nera and Ethan had taken, keeping his distance.

  Nightfall seemed to creep up on Nera without warning. She had been so focused on getting to Dragenmar that she didn't notice the sun had set. Naveni had slowed down and Ethan had fallen asleep while holding on to her. “Let's rest here, Naveni,” she said.

  Naveni came to a stop near a lone tree in the middle of a field. Nera hopped off her back while Ethan was still sound asleep. She could tell Ethan was exhausted because his breathing was louder than normal, and the sound of his snoring was getting louder.

  As Nera was setting up to start a fire, Naveni let out an angry growl and shook Ethan off her back. Ethan fell and hit the ground hard. It startled him awake. “Huh? What? I didn't wet the bed, I swear!” he said, confused.

  Nera let out a chuckle. “Looks like Naveni didn't appreciate you drooling on her back.”

  “Huh? Oh. Sorry, Naveni,” Ethan said. “I was super tired.”

  Naveni let out a low grumble, followed by a large yawn. She lay down next to the tree and closed her eyes for a much-needed rest. Ethan walked over and helped Nera with the wood for the fire.

  “Thank you, Ethan. I can see you are trying to follow the path of a better person, like you said,” Nera remarked.

  Ethan nodded. “I'm trying. It's hard, 'cause sometimes I want to blurt things out or just go to sleep, but I know I need to show I'm trying otherwise no one believes I am trying. My dad would always say, 'Actions speak louder than words'.” Ethan paused. “I never thought about that until recently.”

  Nera regarded him. “Your father sounds like a wise man.”

  “I guess,” Ethan said. “Sometimes he's a little mean and yells a lot but he always has a lesson to teach in the end.”

  There was a sudden spark as Nera tried to light the fire. She made a second attempt, and the fire came to life in front of Ethan's eyes. The glow of the fire reflected off his eyes.

  Nera could see the troubled look on Ethan's face. “Are you ok?” she asked.

  “Yeah. I was just thinking about home,” he answered.

  “Do not worry, Ethan. I will make sure you get home,” Nera said.

  That brought a smile to Ethan's face. “So, what did you find at the village? You didn't tell me too much about why we are in such a hurry to get to the capital,” he said.

  “The Necrom took the elder who was in Gwantar. They captured him to learn the location of the amulet,” Nera told him.

  “Is the Necrom that dark army Joraya was telling me about?”

  Nera looked at him. “I am not sure if that is the army he was talking about, but I know they have a dark purpose and will do whatever it takes to get the Amulet of Light. That is why we must get to the capital as soon as possible before they reach the other elder.”

  Nera pulled out the parchment piece Elder Orius had left for her. “This is for you,” she said, handing it to Ethan.

  Ethan took it and looked at it in confusion. “What is it?”

  “I am not sure,” Nera answered. “All I know is it has something to do with tracking down the amulet. The elder hid it in the cellar so it wouldn't fall into the Necrom's hands. He knew I would come.” She stared moodily into the fire.

  Ethan saw the look on her face. “He was important to you, wasn't he?”

  She stirred. “He and the other elders were like family to me and my siste
r growing up.”

  “Shouldn't we go help him?” Ethan asked, concerned.

  Nera smiled. She could tell Ethan was sincere about helping and could see the change in his attitude. “That's a nice thought, Ethan, but we have our own path to follow. The elder told me not to go after him. We need to get to the amulet before the Necrom. Now, why don't you get some sleep. We will leave at first light.”

  Ethan nodded and lay down, soon falling fast asleep. Nera watched him for a moment before pulling the letter from Orius out of her pouch and reading it again. “I won't let you down,” she murmured.

  HRRRUUUMMPPHHH

  Naveni rolled over and let out a large yawn. She glanced over at Ethan and saw him shivering, so she got to her feet and walked over to him. She wrapped herself around Ethan to warm him up. Nera sat and watched in surprise. She had never seen Naveni warm to anyone as quickly as she had with Ethan. The hunter rose and walked over to both of them, sitting to rest her head on Naveni's arm. Nera stared up at the twin moons until she drifted off to sleep.

  Across the field, hidden in a bush, the purple eyes of the drunk undead watched as his targets slept. He let out a cackle; he had gathered the information he needed. Quietly, he slipped away into the tall grass and headed for the Underdwell to tell Graff what he had learned.

  SMACK!

  Blood spilled out of Elder Orius's mouth as the goblin took another swing at him.

  “So, Elder. Would you like to answer my questions now?” Vetick asked as he hovered behind Orius.

  Orius lifted his head and stared into the eyes of the goblin. PTOOEEYY. Blood spattered the goblin's eye as Orius spat in his face. “You won't get anything out of me. You may as well kill me now,” he said.

  “That can be arranged, maggot!” the goblin yelled as he wiped the spit from his face. He raised a dagger to Orius's throat.

  Vetick walked around to the goblin and grabbed his hand. “I will tell you when to kill him. Do not act on your own.”

  The goblin grumbled and lowered his dagger. “Fine.”